Mogadishu: Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed on Sunday strongly condemned the arrest of Himilo TV Director Ahmed Mohamed Aden and his Deputy Director Khadar Abdirahman Ibrahim.
The two journalists are being held at the Waabari District Police Station in Mogadishu.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed expressed regret over the government’s arrest of the Himilo TV executives and called for their immediate release.
“I am deeply saddened by the constant attacks on local media outlets, which are documented every day in an attempt to silence Somali journalists operating in Mogadishu,” said the former president.
Sharif Sheikh Ahmed urged government leaders to uphold the country’s Constitution, which he said fully guarantees freedom of the press.
“The head of state and security agencies have a national responsibility, as our Constitution guarantees free media and the safety of journalists,” he added.
The arrest of the Himilo TV Director and his deputy has also been widely condemned by politicians opposed to the Federal Government of Somalia.
The motive behind the arrests remains unclear, as the federal government has yet to comment on the incident.
